When it comes to the kind of materials you can use for backsplashes in your kitchen, the choices are usually: concrete, marble, granite, other natural stones, metals, mosaics, glass, and ceramics. Granite is the strongest natural stone you can use for backsplashes. Remember to re-seal granite at least twice a year to protect it from moisture.
Marble is also a good backsplash choice. It is a gorgeous, high style material that is low maintenance. The only problem with marble is that it is very porous, and it easily absorbs grease and grime. Concrete also tends to be porous, but it is gaining in popularity for kitchen backsplash usage. This is because concrete comes in awesome colors and can be shaped into any thickness. In terms of its durability—concrete lacks, but the latest sealers on the market should make your concrete backsplash durable and safe.
The retro design look is big this season in living rooms and your kitchen is not spared this fantastic trend! Reminiscent of the 1950s, people are using textured glass as a great kitchen backsplash. However, the ceramic tiles probably offer you the best in terms of design possibilities. Ceramic tiles come in many colors, textures and finishes. They are easy on the wallet, easy to install, and once installed they offer a customized look. Note: the grout must be regularly cleaned and resealed.
In Your Bathroom
Ceramic tiles are also the most popular choice for bathroom backsplashes. They are popular basically for all the same reasons you can use them in your kitchen: the colors, textures, finishes and economical price. Versatility reigns with ceramic tile because you can use an array of shape combinations to produce a great look. For example, turn a simple square tile on its side to create a diamond shape and presto—you’ve got an inexpensive accent wall behind your sink.
Slate stone tiles are a trendy selection for your bathroom backsplashes. They are available in slab form, too, but using tiles as your backsplash allows for the most variety. Think of how grand your bathroom could be with square, rectangular, triangular, irregular tiles or some custom-made shaped tiles enshrouding it.
You can order slate tiles in assorted patterns. You can order them in solid colors like brown, green, blue or gray or pick a combination of different colors. And you can order small sizes such as 6″x6″ or 3″x9″ up to larger sizes such as 24″x24″ or 24″x18”. Plus slate tiles come in different finishes and textures so your design schemes are limitless!
A Contemporary Spin: Use Stainless-Steel Backsplash to Modernize Your Kitchen
To achieve an updated contemporary look in your kitchen in a matter of minutes, seek out stainless-steel backsplashes. With simply epoxy, you can attach stainless steel onto an existing wall. Your stainless steel could be in the form of square tiles or one big sheet. The stainless steel sheet can be a plain pattern or more intricate like a diamond, diagonal, harlequin or checkerboard pattern.
Installing Tin Ceiling Tiles as a Backsplash
It is now time for us to turn our attention to tin! Tin backsplashes are a wonderful way to add style and zest to a kitchen. Especially when you position it behind the stove. Apply small tin tiles to the wall and create a beautiful checkerboard design to accent the kitchen. Or use one big, continuous piece of tin behind the stove for a sleek and modern look.
Tin, when compared to stainless steel is less expensive, easier to cut, and easier to install. Speaking of installation, you should have the design look you want all planned out before you begin installing. It will be difficult to have to “wing it” with your design once you have started applying the tin.
Set-up: Getting Your Tools Handy and Preparing the Wall
The things you will need for the installing tin backsplash project include a pair of gloves, a pair of safety goggles, tin cutters, a hammer, an awl, denatured alcohol, polyurethane and round-headed nails. First, use a cleaner to cleanse the surface of your wall. Use a cleaner that is really good at cutting grease and grime. Once the wall is clean, run sandpaper (at least 80-grit) against the wall to rough up the surface and to remove any bumps. Roughing up the wall’s surface helps the tin adhere to the wall better.
The Installation Process
Measure the area where you plan to install the backsplash. Next, cut away a segment of ceiling tile and hold it against the wall behind the stove. Using your awl, create nail holes in the wall. You can conceal these nail holes by lining up the tile by its pattern if your backsplash has a pattern design.
Now hammer in the nails that have round heads. Once the backsplash is secure use the denatured alcohol to rub off the protective coating on the tin tiles. This coating was put on there to protect the tin from damage while being shipped. Finish the tin installation project by applying a coat of polyurethane to the backsplash in order to maintain its new and clean appearance.